MUSKEGON, Mich. — It was a major milestone for Muskegon Lake on Wednesday as community leaders gathered at Heritage Landing to announce the lake is no longer considered one of the Great Lakes’ most polluted waters .

“Anytime we can declare a job finished. What a big deal for the community. It's been really fun to meet the folks who have been doing this hard work for so many years,” said Anne Vogel, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator.

Muskegon Lake was first listed as an Area of Concern in 1987, scarred by decades of industrial pollution. This new milestone comes after nearly $100 million in cleanup and restoration.

“The number I heard is 84 million in total from all sources, probably,” said Phil Roos, Michigan EGLE Director. “The rate of return is amazing. So we're doing it because it's

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